CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan paid an emotional tribute to Tommy Burns today following his death from cancer at the age of 51.
Burns, currently first-team coach and head of youth at Celtic, had also served the club as a player and manager.
It was announced last month that Burns, 51, who was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006, was facing a new fight against the disease.
He had been undergoing treatment in Glasgow and France in recent weeks.
Celtic Football club said Burns died at home.
He also worked as assistant to Scotland managers Berti Vogts and Walter Smith.
Strachan said: "We'll all know how lucky we are that Tommy was part of our life.
"Every time he walked into a room you felt better when Tommy was about.
"We've missed him about the place. It's not the same when he's not there.
"The most important thing I did when I came here (in 2005] was make Tommy assistant manager.
"Through his intelligence, common sense and humour, he made me understand what Glasgow was all about. He kept me sane at times.
"It was just a privilege to be in his company every day."
Celtic captain Stephen McManus said: "It's been a pleasure to have known him for eight years.
"You can't help but love him to bits. He's going to be sadly missed."
Chief executive Peter Lawwell added: "Tommy Burns will live forever in the club. He's part of the history.
"We've had many legends at this football club but truly he'll take his position in there.
"His energy, his drive, and his passion for this club was remarkable."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Burns's death.
He said: "His death robs Scottish football of one of its most inspirational figures of modern times and one of the nicest people in football.
"He will go down as one of the all-time great players for Glasgow Celtic.
"His belief in good football shone through in his time as Celtic manager, as well as in his service for Scotland and Kilmarnock.
"But perhaps most of all it was his passion and love for his family and for life itself that made Tommy so inspiring. He will be sadly missed by us all."
Celtic chairman and former home secretary John Reid said it was devastating news.
In a statement on the the club's official website, he said: "Tommy is someone who was loved by so many of us. He was a man of true integrity and dignity. As a Celtic player, manager and coach, Tommy served Celtic with distinction and true professionalism.
"Tommy's passing will be mourned by the entire Celtic family. He will be hugely missed by us all, but he is someone we will never, ever forget."
Another former Celtic team-mate, Frank McGarvey, said: "I'm shattered and I think everyone is shattered.
"He was one of Celtic's greatest servants and was one of the players who would try and go to every event that involved the supporters.
"He was one of the good guys, a winner, with a great sense of humour and he will be badly missed by everyone. A good friend has been taken away."
Glasgow-born Burns spent the bulk of his career at Celtic, joining the club as a teenage player before leaving in 1989, aged 32, to join Kilmarnock where he later became the club's player-manager.
Burns returned to Celtic in 1994 as Lou Macari's successor in the manager's seat.
He was sacked in 1997 and later had an 18-month spell as manager of Reading.
His next job was with the Celtic youth academy and in 2002 he also took on a part-time role with Scotland under Vogts.
He remained in the role as assistant to Smith, who was appointed after the German's unsuccessful time in charge was ended.
Scottish football rallied around the coach during Burns' first cancer scare, which kept him out of the game for part of a championship-winning season at Celtic.
He underwent surgery to remove two lumps from his leg in May 2006, before returning to the Celtic dug-out.
At the time, Burns talked of the possibility of the cancer returning.
He also expressed the hope that his case might make people take action against the growing problem of skin cancer.
Burns was a much-loved figure among the Celtic supporters and they paid tribute to him today.
Peter Rafferty, of the Association of Celtic Supporters' Clubs, said: "He was a true gentleman and a big family man.
"Celtic was a big part of his life but the biggest part of his life was his family. He became a grandfather a few weeks ago and that is the biggest tragedy.
"Legend is a word that is used quite a lot these days, but he was."
Scottish sports minister Stewart Maxwell said: "This is desperately sad news. Tommy Burns was a magnificent servant for Celtic and his country.
"As the national football team's assistant manager, he was hugely respected by everyone involved in football at home and abroad.
"He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Scotland has lost one of its greatest footballing legends and one of its most decent and genuine men."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan hailed Tommy Burns as "an inspiration" for the brave way he battled cancer and admits it will be hard to come to terms with his death.
"Tommy was simply one of the best friends anyone could ever hope to have."
He added: "His bravery throughout his illness was an inspiration, and right to the end he was checking everyone else was okay, never giving a thought for himself or his situation.
"The fact that he has now gone will take a long time to sink in, and my thoughts are with Rosemary and his family."
The SFA, who Burns served as a national team coach under Scotland managers Berti Vogts and Walter Smith, described him as a "magnificent ambassador" to the game.
"Everyone at the Scottish FA would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Tommy Burns at this very sad time," a statement read.
"Tommy's passing is a great loss and he will be sadly missed by us all. He was a true gentleman and a magnificent ambassador for Scottish football."
Rangers Football Club said that in light of the news of Mr Burns's death, it would no longer hold a parade to welcome the team home from the Uefa Cup Final.
The Rangers players had been expected to take part in a parade of honour on an open-top bus but said a public procession would now be "wholly inappropriate".
MORE STORIES >>>Commenting on this article has now been closed. Thanks for all your tributes - editor.The full article contains 1174 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
